REVIEW: Magic Tower
GAME TITLE: Four in One
GENRE: Platform
SYSTEM: MEGA DUCK (MD035)
DEVELOPER: COMMIN (SACHEN)
RELEASE DATE: 1993
GENRE: Platform
SYSTEM: MEGA DUCK (MD035)
DEVELOPER: COMMIN (SACHEN)
RELEASE DATE: 1993
One of only two multi-cart releases for the system. This Four in One cart does not appear to have been sold seperately but rather bundled with the Mega Duck itself in certain territories. Its games are all familiar clones of popular existing franchises (with perhaps the exception of the intangible Dice Block).
It's also interesting in that it is one of two games to feature a mascot seemingly designed with the system in mind. The Mega Duck himself (or herself) appears not only on the menu screen but also in the solo title Duck Adventures (review coming soon).
All of the games contained on the cart are simple but relatively fun and there is a weird prevalence for patriotic American music with most games playing renditions of Land of Hope and Glory and a few others at regular intervals. Sadly, no matter how hard we might wish for it, Macho Man Randy Savage does not make an appearance.
Rather than the usual review format, then, we'll take a brief look at each game in the order that they appear on the menu.
It's also interesting in that it is one of two games to feature a mascot seemingly designed with the system in mind. The Mega Duck himself (or herself) appears not only on the menu screen but also in the solo title Duck Adventures (review coming soon).
All of the games contained on the cart are simple but relatively fun and there is a weird prevalence for patriotic American music with most games playing renditions of Land of Hope and Glory and a few others at regular intervals. Sadly, no matter how hard we might wish for it, Macho Man Randy Savage does not make an appearance.
Rather than the usual review format, then, we'll take a brief look at each game in the order that they appear on the menu.
Clean backgrounds and easy to navigate maze structures help keep Magic Tower's game of cat and mouse stay fun without frustration setting in.
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For once, the box art pretty much captures the game it is intended to represent...as weird as that may be.
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Our hero in scissors mode about to jump up and retrieve some speed-up boots. Timely completion of stages is important as if you run out an extra, unkillable baddie will come hunting for you! |
Power-ups can be collected to speed up, increase score or change your hand’s setting and a strategic Pac Man style game of cat and mouse ensues. While your character can jump he can only do so vertically to ascend platforms and cannot move while falling down gaps. Some strategy therefore comes into play in navigating the maze-like horizontally scrolling levels.
Thankfully, and especially given their propensity to include ridiculous numbers of stages, Sachen have opted to include a password feature. A new password is revealed after every four or five stages defeated and can be restarted with your full complement of 3 continues. This should ensure that the game is certainly beatable…presuming Sachen actually finished coding all the levels this time. We’ll get back to you if we manage to defeat it.
Music is jolly and varies between stages, eventually repeating every ten levels or so and the game is generally very enjoyable in its old school, minimalist, arcade style. Much like Duck Adventure (review coming soon), it’s a game that seems primitive but is actually solid addictive fun and well worth seeking out for your Mega Duck collection.
Score 8/10
Thankfully, and especially given their propensity to include ridiculous numbers of stages, Sachen have opted to include a password feature. A new password is revealed after every four or five stages defeated and can be restarted with your full complement of 3 continues. This should ensure that the game is certainly beatable…presuming Sachen actually finished coding all the levels this time. We’ll get back to you if we manage to defeat it.
Music is jolly and varies between stages, eventually repeating every ten levels or so and the game is generally very enjoyable in its old school, minimalist, arcade style. Much like Duck Adventure (review coming soon), it’s a game that seems primitive but is actually solid addictive fun and well worth seeking out for your Mega Duck collection.
Score 8/10
